Leviticus 12

Laws touching as well the uncleaness of a woman in child-bed of a son, v. 1, etc or of a daughter, 5. as her purification or cleansing, whether she were rich, 6. or poor, 8.

1. Moreover the LORD spoke unto Moseh, saying:

2. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: when a woman shall have given seed, [Understand hereby the conception of man in the mothers womb, proceeding not only from the man, but also from the woman; for the word signifieth both to give seed, and to produce it, Genesis 1:11, 12. Compare Hebrews 11:11.] and brought forth a male-child: then she shall be unclean. [i.e. according as she is seven days unclean, when her monthly course is upon her, below ch. 15; 19. so she shall likewise be unclean for seven days, having brought forth a son.]

3. And on the eight day, the flesh of his fore-skin shall be circumcised. [For by this time the mother was free again of her former uncleaness, (whereof ver. 2.) whereby it appeareth, that the Circumcision could not be administered before this day, till when both mother and child were unclean.]

4. After that shall she abide three and thirty days, [viz. before she shall be held absolutely clean, remaining separated all this while, not wholly from all society, but only from the Sanctuary, and from things appertaining to God’s public worship and service] in the blood of her purification: [Heb. bloods (the plural) i.e. in the blood of her monthly course, whereof she must first be wholly cleansed, before she might go into the Sanctuary of the LORD] she shall touch no holy (thing) [i.e. no remainder of any thing that was offered or hallowed to the LORD] and to the Sanctuary she shall not come, until the days of her purification be fulfilled.

5. But if she shall have brought forth a female, then she shall be two weeks unclean, [i.e. as long again as she was when she brought a son: as also she was then to forbear coming to the Sanctuary, double the time, viz. sixty six days] according to her separation: [i.e. according to the manner of her being separated from the society of men, by reason of her monthly course: see above on verse 2.] after that shall she abide sixty six days in the blood of her purification.

6. And when the days of her purification for the son, or for the daughter shall be fulfilled; then shall she bring a lamb of a year old for a burnt-offering, and a young Pigeon, or Turtle dove, for a sin-offering, before the door of the Tent of the Congregation, unto the Priest.

7. The same shall offer that before the face of the LORD, and shall make expiation for her; then shall she be clean of the course of her blood: this is the Law of her that hath born a male or female.

8. But if her hand find not enough for a Lamb, [Heb. sufficiency of a Lamb; i.e. if she have not the ability and means, to find or provide so much. See the like phrase below chapter 25, 26. The mother of our LORD was likewise so poor, that she not able to offer a was likewise so poor, that she was not able to offer a Lamb, Luke 2:24.] then she shall take two Turtle-doves, or two young Pigeons, one of the burnt-offering, and one for a sin-offering: [this offering had a special regard to original sin, wherein as well the mother, as the fruit of her womb, was conceived and born; none excepted, but only our LORD Jesus Christ] and the Priest shall make expiation for her, so she shall be clean.